AHL: The Rocket are unable to solidify their spot in the playoff race

The Laval Rocket were in the midst of a stellar run that allowed them to settle into last place, allowing them to reach the North Division playoffs, but the Utica Comets played spoilsport on Wednesday.

Ryan Schmelzer broke the tie with less than five minutes to play and the Comets won 3-1 to move within three points of Jean-François Houle's side with two games in hand.

“I thought we lacked energy at the end of the third period,” Holly commented. If we had scored on the power play, it would have been different, but they played a good game. It was a close match and they had the upper hand. »

Chase Stillman and Phillip Engaras also found the back of the net for the Comets, who remain seventh and last in the North Division. Akira Schmid stopped 23 shots.

The Rocket were unable to take advantage of the great performance provided by Jacob Dubis, who made 29 saves. Jacob Perrault was the only teammate to make the red light shine.

Thus the Rocket finished their five-game trip with a 3-2-0 record. He has won his last three meetings and seven of his last eight before this duel.

The Montreal Canadiens farm club still has to play eight games between now and the end of the season. He will play his next two games against the Belleville Senators, Friday and Saturday at Place Belle.

The Senators are in sixth place in the division with two more games to play before the end of the regular season.

“We've won three games away from home, but it will be good to go home and rest,” Hooley said. Friday will arrive very quickly for players. We'll give ourselves some time, and we'll see what we do with our training. »

“It will continue until the end. All matches are important, all points are important.”

Little work

The first six minutes of play belonged to the Rocket, who controlled the entire game, and were constantly in the Comets' zone, hitting their first three shots of the game.

But Perrault won a penalty kick in the attacking zone, which allowed the local team to obtain the first numerical superiority of the match and changed the complexion of the match. In fact, the next six shots went to the Comets.

Against his former team, Nathan Leghari was also sent off, this time for obstruction at the expense of Dobies. But despite four penalties in the first half, the score remained 0-0 after 20 minutes of play.

The Rockets were shut down in six lines with one more man in the game. A situation that did not satisfy Hall.

“Numerical advantage [fera la différence d’ici la fin de la saison], announced the head coach. Special teams in close games are very important. »

However, Perreault made sure to put the Rocket on the board after just 31 seconds of play in the second. He redirected a pass from his captain Gabriel Burke behind Schmid.

It was his first point in seven games with the Rocket since being acquired from the Anaheim Ducks on March 7. It also ended a 15-game pointless drought in the MLS. He has eight goals and 19 points in 38 games this season.

“It's been a long time since I scored a goal, so it's good to take the pressure off my shoulders,” Perrault commented. But what I remember is defeat. It's really disappointing. »

But Stillman got the teams back on even footing 2:41 into the third period when he scored once when the ball slid toward him.

The Comets couldn't afford to lose to stay in good standing for the playoffs and were in control in the third period.

Emil Heinemann sank his team with a blind pass into the heart of the crease in his own area. Schmelzer took the opportunity to break the tie. He scored his 17th goal of the season with 4:03 remaining in the game.

The missile was unable to respond

“After the second period, we were comfortable, but we didn't come out strong in the third period and we learned the wrong way,” defenseman Toby Puckett-Bison said.